Pre-Trip All-aboard! Yacht Club in July '17.

Since 2007 our family tradition has been to go to WDW every two years. The tradition almost died in 2015 but 3 out of 5 of us saved it with a day trip. This year, with the help of a convention, we are going to the Yacht Club in July!

The Specifics (so far). I am a member of AHEPA which is like a Greek Knights of Columbus. A terrific organization that raises money for scholarships and good deeds in our community.
The AHEPA national convention this year is at WDW and they managed to secure a terrific group rate. So good in fact that I was able to convince my "not so much loving Disney" wife to agree to a trip! We've stayed at the Beach Club twice but never the Yacht Club. I'm beyond excited. We will be checking in Tues July 24th and leaving Sun the 30th.

The Players. The saddest thing about this trip will be the absence of my oldest daughter Alexandra. She graduated from College last year and is now enrolled in an accelerated nursing program. Her schedule just won't allow here to get away. I'm sure she'll be there for the 2019 trip!

Who is going -

Myself (Chris). Disney lover trying desperately to cling to a family with 3 children that is now in reality 2 adults and a teenager. Photography enthusiast hungry for more Disney photos. Head planner and decision maker (which often leads to getting myself in trouble).

My lovely wife (Val). Those that read my other reports will not be surprised to know that Val will be the least excited to be on our trip. I think her exact words were "I'm not going to Disney again, and especially not in the *$%##@ middle of Summer!" Considerable compromises and sacrifices were made to get her to say yes. Here is a picture of the two of us from last summer. I'm not nearly as tan now as then but hopefully will be by our trip.

Sterg - My 20 year old son will be with us this time. He missed our 2015 trip to Clearwater that included the one day at WDW. He's a sophomore at Penn State studying in the field of IT and on the swim team. He will be the source of much entertainment and laughs; if I don't kill him first. Here he is in the pool. Notice the shaved eyebrow; evidence of a bet that didn't go his way.

Toni - When my last teenager isn't wrapping me around her little finger, she is busy with schoolwork and more dance classes than Mikhail Baryshnikov. Toni loves Disney as much as I do and we are usually the only members of the early morning Park contingency. Here she is holding our dog Prince.

to be continued...

 

[fractal]

We are nearing our 10 people WDW holiday & I don't know how we have managed to survive the carnage of restaurant selections & FP+!!! Its only ever really been me, mum, my older brother and sister for our previous trips so it was relatively straight forward .....We have one child in the group this time & I feel she won't be the one having the meltdowns when we get there....

Misery loves company! It's gotten a bit better for me. Our youngest is my 8 year old niece. The biggest challenge will be managing all the moving parts while allowing enough freedom for people to do their own thing. Good luck with your trip!

p.s. from what I can see you've done lots of TR previously (which unfortunately I didn't find until now ...*ignores work to binge read 4 TR* but by the looks of it you're fun to follow along with so I'm definitely in for this one!!!!

Thanks and since your trip comes before mine, I'll be following and hopefully pick up some group management tips.

 

[MouseDreaming]

Well, the fighting has already begun.

Dozens of dinner suggestions flying back and forth between the different tribes and so far all we've booked is Ohana at the Poly for Tuesday.

Wednesday I'm planning a full day at Animal Kingdom to take in every ounce of Avatarland that I can - so we are trying to pick a spot there. I'm pushing for waiting until the new Blue alien canteen opens up reservations. We shall see.

I may not survive this.

Hi @fractal ! How awesome that you get another trip. And although you will miss your eldest, how exciting for her!

As you are planning and going back and forth over where to eat, think of it as a great debate on the parliament floor. Might feel better than thinking of it as everything is an argument! Maybe just pick when you will all be together and your family plans one and your sister's family plans one? Then everybody wins. Well, really everybody wins because look where you are going! And we get to see your beautiful pictures!

 

[fractal]

Hi @fractal ! How awesome that you get another trip. And although you will miss your eldest, how exciting for her!

As you are planning and going back and forth over where to eat, think of it as a great debate on the parliament floor. Might feel better than thinking of it as everything is an argument! Maybe just pick when you will all be together and your family plans one and your sister's family plans one? Then everybody wins. Well, really everybody wins because look where you are going! And we get to see your beautiful pictures!

Thanks @MouseDreaming ! We will miss Alex but we knew these years would be tough getting everyone together. Haven't there been fist fights on the floor of the Parliament? Just kidding - things are going smoother for now. We have designated a night where each "tribe" goes their own way.

The bigger challenge will be when it's time to book fast passes. This is the first time we are using magic bands and that creates several issues;

1) Toni and I are up early every day and she has indicated that there is no way she is sleeping in like her two older siblings did in their teen years.

2) Val will sleep in and Sterg is good for maybe one or two early rises.

3) We have the other parts of the family to consider.

4) The logistics of different groups coming and going and possibly wanting to go to different parks is going to make planning fast-passes stressful.

So, I'm trying to line up my ducks for that. Any advise from magic band vets would be appreciated!

 

[Shane7694]

Thanks @MouseDreaming ! We will miss Alex but we knew these years would be tough getting everyone together. Haven't there been fist fights on the floor of the Parliament? Just kidding - things are going smoother for now. We have designated a night where each "tribe" goes their own way.

The bigger challenge will be when it's time to book fast passes. This is the first time we are using magic bands and that creates several issues;

1) Toni and I are up early every day and she has indicated that there is no way she is sleeping in like her two older siblings did in their teen years.

2) Val will sleep in and Sterg is good for maybe one or two early rises.

3) We have the other parts of the family to consider.

4) The logistics of different groups coming and going and possibly wanting to go to different parks is going to make planning fast-passes stressful.

So, I'm trying to line up my ducks for that. Any advise from magic band vets would be appreciated!

I would try and save your fast passes for maybe afternoon/evening times.. If you get to the parks at rope drop you should have a good hour to ride whatever(Not sure about pandora stuff) before the parks fill up.. That's what we have done the last few times we've went during the summer and it seems to work out pretty good.. You can also customize your fast passes according to who wants to ride what.. We have done that in the past because there are certain rides my daughter won't ride that my son will, so we split up and use a fast pass for 2 people instead of 4..

 

[gobstoper27]

Yay, your trip reports were the first that I've ever read on the forum, so I'm looking forward to a new report. The kids are so grown up now!!!

 

[MerMom1981]

Thanks @MouseDreaming ! We will miss Alex but we knew these years would be tough getting everyone together. Haven't there been fist fights on the floor of the Parliament? Just kidding - things are going smoother for now. We have designated a night where each "tribe" goes their own way.

The bigger challenge will be when it's time to book fast passes. This is the first time we are using magic bands and that creates several issues;

1) Toni and I are up early every day and she has indicated that there is no way she is sleeping in like her two older siblings did in their teen years.

2) Val will sleep in and Sterg is good for maybe one or two early rises.

3) We have the other parts of the family to consider.

4) The logistics of different groups coming and going and possibly wanting to go to different parks is going to make planning fast-passes stressful.

So, I'm trying to line up my ducks for that. Any advise from magic band vets would be appreciated!

Booking FP's for the group is no small task.
We connected our MDE accounts, so we were able to make FP's for the entire group, or select individuals.
I agree that booking afternoon times is the way to go.

My kids are early risers, so we were at the parks around opening every day. My SIL and her family like to sleep in, so we never started the day together.
We'd do 3-4 attractions before lunch, then meet up with the others for afternoon FP's.
After that, we'd often split up again.
Flexibility is the only way to keep the peace

 

[amjt660]

I agree with @Shane7694
Later afternoon and evening FP was how we did Christmas
Because the park was busy the early start approach of Standby followed by late aft/evening FP limited wait time.
For you it would also be a better approach to have the whole group together just before and just after dinner

Just my 1.5 cents US ( 2 cents up here in Canada with the exchange rate)

Max

 

[fractal]

I would try and save your fast passes for maybe afternoon/evening times.. If you get to the parks at rope drop you should have a good hour to ride whatever(Not sure about pandora stuff) before the parks fill up.. That's what we have done the last few times we've went during the summer and it seems to work out pretty good.. You can also customize your fast passes according to who wants to ride what.. We have done that in the past because there are certain rides my daughter won't ride that my son will, so we split up and use a fast pass for 2 people instead of 4..

Thanks for the great tips! I wasn't sure if I would "miss out" on FP if I only booked later in the day or not.

Yay, your trip reports were the first that I've ever read on the forum, so I'm looking forward to a new report. The kids are so grown up now!!!

Hi @gobstoper27 ! Thanks for following along again! Yes, these kids grow up too fast.

Booking FP's for the group is no small task.
We connected our MDE accounts, so we were able to make FP's for the entire group, or select individuals.
I agree that booking afternoon times is the way to go.

My kids are early risers, so we were at the parks around opening every day. My SIL and her family like to sleep in, so we never started the day together.
We'd do 3-4 attractions before lunch, then meet up with the others for afternoon FP's.
After that, we'd often split up again.
Flexibility is the only way to keep the peace

Thanks for the insight @MerMom1981 ! I'm very flexible - not sure about everyone else.

I agree with @Shane7694
Later afternoon and evening FP was how we did Christmas
Because the park was busy the early start approach of Standby followed by late aft/evening FP limited wait time.
For you it would also be a better approach to have the whole group together just before and just after dinner

Just my 1.5 cents US ( 2 cents up here in Canada with the exchange rate)

Max

Thanks @amjt660 for your thoughts!

 

[wdisney9000]

So, I'm trying to line up my ducks for that. Any advise from magic band vets would be appreciated!

My brother has taken several trips with his family and their friends families and kids and was the "admin" for all FP+ reservations for 8-10 people. He told me you can reserve FP+ for different attractions at different times of day for different people. Not sure if that helps or if you are already aware of that feature. He also said they had days when he would remove himself as admin so if everybody went their own way, they could pick and choose what they wanted.

I have had a few trips with large family groups and we always enjoyed when we would split up for the day and meet up for lunch or dinner and share our stories and experiences of the day. With as large of a group as you have, Im sure there will be some good stories!

 

[fractal]

My brother has taken several trips with his family and their friends families and kids and was the "admin" for all FP+ reservations for 8-10 people. He told me you can reserve FP+ for different attractions at different times of day for different people. Not sure if that helps or if you are already aware of that feature. He also said they had days when he would remove himself as admin so if everybody went their own way, they could pick and choose what they wanted.

I have had a few trips with large family groups and we always enjoyed when we would split up for the day and meet up for lunch or dinner and share our stories and experiences of the day. With as large of a group as you have, Im sure there will be some good stories!

Thanks for the tips. I'm getting close to my window opening so this is very helpful.

 

[wdisney9000]

Thanks for the tips. I'm getting close to my window opening so this is very helpful.

My brother said there was a bit of a learning curve for a day or two and a few stops at front desk or town hall to fix a few mistakes, but once he knew how to work the system it was pretty easy. Sort of a trial and error experience.

He did mention (and Ive seen others report the same), that when the entire group had FP+ for the same attraction there would occasionally be one person in the group whose magic band would not scan at the touch point, but he would just show the CM his phone indicating that the person did actually have a FP+ reserved and that was sufficient. This was last year, so perhaps they fixed the issue.

 

[fractal jr]

Lets go!!!

 

[SweetEvangeline]

Fractal Jr!! Yay!!!!!

 

[fractal]

Lets go!!!

Aren't you supposed to be studying?

 

[littleroo]

I am in!! I cant wait to hear about your adventure! Looking forward to your plans and trip report. Give the kid a break

 

[blreinsel]

Fractal Jr.. Hilarious I'm anxious for Sterg's input and wit in your TR.

 

[Shane7694]

Lol @ Fractal jr!!!

 

[myhappyplace]

It's fractal, jr!! We are!

 

[Uncle Lupe]

First off, was so excited to see this pop into the new posts section. Always ready for a fractal TR. Your trip starts our 60 day countdown so I will be ready for any insights I can gleam from your trip.

Second, bahawhahawhawhaha getting trolled by your son in the pre trip. This is going to be good, I don't think you can tame him with the Cobra Clutch anymore.

I think with the My Disney App and the magic bands even a large family vacation should be easier to manage. Can't wait for more.

Have you had trouble getting other reservations this close to your trip?

 

[fractal]

Fractal Jr!! Yay!!!!!

I am in!! I cant wait to hear about your adventure! Looking forward to your plans and trip report. Give the kid a break

Fractal Jr.. Hilarious I'm anxious for Sterg's input and wit in your TR.

Lol @ Fractal jr!!!

It's fractal, jr!! We are!

Yes, fractal Jr. is looking forward to the trip. He's trying to convince me to start a vlog on Youtube. Not sure I would survive that.

First off, was so excited to see this pop into the new posts section. Always ready for a fractal TR. Your trip starts our 60 day countdown so I will be ready for any insights I can gleam from your trip.

Second, bahawhahawhawhaha getting trolled by your son in the pre trip. This is going to be good, I don't think you can tame him with the Cobra Clutch anymore.

I think with the My Disney App and the magic bands even a large family vacation should be easier to manage. Can't wait for more.

Have you had trouble getting other reservations this close to your trip?

Wat up? @Uncle Lupe

Glad you're getting back as well!

How 'bout it? re: trolled. Cobra Clutch has been very ineffective lately. In fact, it usually produces an opposite effect. We still have threat of losing phone.

I have not had any trouble with meal reservations. Although we still need to book a couple more.

Where are you going to be staying?